Saturday, June 27, 2009

Where I've been...and what I've been doing...

I can't believe it's been two weeks since I've been in here. Time flies, you know? The book signing went so well that I'm just flabbergasted. This little cutie pie is six years old. Her name is Allie Vaughn and she asked me to sign her book, which she bought with her own money. I took pleasure in personalizing her book for her. This is the picture that appears in the Progressive Journal News. I sold my stock of books and have another book signing on July 20th in Anson County (North Carolina) at 11 a. The day was a joy for me.

But in the mean time, the garden flourishes.

All week before last we weeded and watered, hoed and dusted. We picked the first little batch of beans last Saturday. We had planted Rattlesnake Beans, which are a green bean with purple stripes on them. When you cook them, the purple stripe disappears, and like magic, it's just a green bean. I cooked them with new potatoes that we dug from our container. So good, cooked together. We also cook cabbage and potatoes together. Do you suppose it's the Scots/Irish heritage?

This is what we harvested this morning...the tomatoes are outdoing themselves...it's Sink Sandwich time for sure!

But enough about the hard work that Mac and I have put in the past two weeks. I am always having to chastise "the Chief" about over doing. This week we had a little scare. Once again I take you to the halls of Wal-Mart. And what have I told you children? When you're not well enough to shop at WalMart, your next stop should be where? So, there we are in WalMart and I'm just picking up a few items that we need (mainly cat food) and I noticed that he was lagging behind. I asked him if he felt alright and was told rather sharply that no, he wasn't. He felt a heaviness in his chest and was short of breath. Now, the day before I spent hours telling him that humidity was to high, he needed to take a break (as I was doing) and come in and cool down. But NOOOOOO, would John Wayne come in just account of a measly heat wave? You don't know how sick I am of John Wayne. Never mind that The Duke has come in from the garden permanently, it does no good to point that out.

So, as we headed out to the parking lot, I tell Mac "you know there's one of two things that can be done right now.""And that would be?" he asked."We stop in at Carolina Pines (hospital) now or you take the $7000 ride later (meaning the ambulance from home...and that's a low estimation on the cost these days). Imagine my surprise when he voluntarily stopped at the ER of Carolina Pines, but actually walked in with me. I knew this couldn't be good.

They ran an EKG, twice. They gave him a blood thinning shot. They checked his b/p (many many times). Then they admitted him for observation. He kept saying that he really needed to go home and the ER Doc finally told him that since he was a captive audience (IV drip already going) he did not feel inclined to let him leave. Good news, it appears that it was definitely heat exhaustion and that now home, he's heeding the advice of the Doctors. In after 11 a. Now, this is the same advice that I have been giving all week. Do I get an M.D. behind my name? No, of course not. I don't even get the joy of having him pay me any attention. Maybe next time!

71 comments:

Congratulations on the success of your book. I didn't know it was a children's book.I'm glad Mac is alright. That is just the way it is with my Honey Bear. He would never admit he was overdoing. Last year, remember, in July, in 100 degree weather, we were putting siding on the chimney. He kept stopping and sitting down. He said he was weak and light headed. I kept bringing out gatorade and sitting down and making him sit down. Men just don't listen.I missed you. I've popped out your player just to listen to your music while I did other stuff. Now, I have my own.Mama Bear

It is so good to hear from you again!! That's too long to let us wait, but it sounds like you've been experiencing marvelous things (book signing and sweet little people) and a big scare (hubby). Take care now.

Good for you on the book signing and also, more importantly too, that you got Mac to stop by Carolina Pines and save the money that would have been going for the expensive ambulance ride! Hopefully, he'll behave -at least for a while.Those tomatoes look absolutely luscious! Wish I could join you with a sandwich here too!

You're such a skilled communicator, Sandi! So glad that Mac listened to you and that he is on the mend now. That heat business is no good...and the humidity...oh boy. Take care now and lie low...well, except for when you're hanging over the sink eating those scrumptious sandwiches with the juicy tomatoes inside.

Love the picture, Sandi. May have loved it just a little bit too much. ;>

Congratulations on the book singings, you must be thrilled. re your husband and advice - mine is like a recalcitrant teenager when given advice. Cheeses me off no end so I tell him, you don't take the medication, don't moan to me about the symptoms. He can take charge of his health antime as long as he takes responsibility for the consequences! That usually shuts him up!

I'm SO GLAD he listened to you!!! 'Bout Time! You just Never know! $7000 ride is RIGHT!

The tomato looks Wonderful...right over the sink!Hahaa...

She will Never forget you for making her signing so special!! You're a Special writer...you Care about your fans! I've been to several book signings where the author could have cared Less about signing your book...sad.Happy day Darlin'!hughugsPS-You were missed!!

I know what it is to convince someone to come indoors before 11 and not go out again until late in the day. I overheard a phone conversation about lawn mowing, that did not sound good at all. Someone is taking care of that for the next week or two and I hope for the summer!!

He really is captive, now. We're at the lake for two weeks. I hope these super hot days are over in a few days, at least for awhile. That's what Weatherbug has predicted.

Oh Sandi, I was so relieved when I read about the positive outcome of John Wayne's little ER excursion! Darn the swagger, he needs to heed to the M(D)isses!!!!

Sink sandwiches, here I come! There nothing better than a BLT sandwich (with sinfully white bread, pleease) when the tomatoes are ripe!

Italians like to mix green beens and tomatoes too: boil them, then mix them with a little olive oil and salt, add fresh minced parsley by the handful. Heaven! It is permissible to add a few tomato slices, even zucchini, boiled, with a little crunch left.

Another of my favorite summer meals are fresh tomato and pasta. I had them the first time while at the beach between Rome and Naples with friends: In the morning, slice the tomatoes, mix them in a bowl with olive oil and whole basil leaves. Cover, let them stand, go to the beach. When you come back at noon, boil a pot of Ziti pasta, drain them, mix hot pasta and the tomato mixture. Add salt if needed, lots more basil leaves and some crushed garlic cloves if you like (you don't add the garlic in the morning because with olive oil and raw garlic standing around there is danger of botulism). You may also add cubes fresh mozzarella (fresh! not that firm stuff that masquerades as such).Bon appetit!

Oh, how exciting to have your own book signing AND sell all your stock! Congratulations! You look great, too!

So glad to hear that Mac went to the hospital for tests and it proved to be nothing too much. I mean, I do know that heat exhaustion is nothing to take lightly, but it could have been so much worse! At least it's treatable. ;)

SandiSo pleased nothing serious with Mac please give him my best wishes and tell him to obey his wife in future!! Looking forward to reading the book and I.m sure its going to be a best seller. I am giung to post this week definately as i feel I may have something to say!!!

Your fresh, handgrown veggies are just out of this world. So lovely and I know, delicious!! I justs love veggie gardens.So glad he is ok...heat can do a number on us!!I can't keep my eyes off the pic of the man in uniform and the lovely little lady beside him.."I'll write to you everyday", she said....It looks so much like my dad..I have photos almost just like this one, with the olden house in the background...the old car...uh oh...memories are flooding and tears are sure to come..Thanks for a great post...xo bj

Sandi, your veggies look fantabulous. I cook beans and potatoes together too with a little ham seasoning. You must email and tell me how you grow potatoes in a container. Taters' have to be my all time favorite. My meals revolve around what potato dish we are having. Now....I am so happy Mac is feeling better. I know how frustrating guys can be. For years, I have been telling Bobby G. about one certain thing that I am positive is not good for you...but did he ever hear me? nooooo. Then last week he gets an email from some friend of a friend of a friend, that basically says the same thing I have been preachin' about for years. And lo and behold he cuts it out of his diet .... just like that. Go figure...xo Lynn

Sandi, hi, I'm back. I love the huge tomatoes in the photo. I hope that 'the Chief' continues to take it easy now that he had the little setback. I have given you an award over at Oasis Writing Link (OWL) blog. When you can, come over and visit so we can get acquainted better. <3

Sandy thanks so much for your very kind and supportive words today!! I was so proud to be a winer alongside Erin....

and your book looks great come payday l think l'll be there....you must try and persuade Mum (moannie) to get hers dusted off again, written when we were kids..they are really great...but then would say that!

You tell Uncle we all prefer him well hydrated and happily healthy. No heat exhaustion allowed. Geez. And those tomatoes look too good to be true. You show many more pictures of those and I'll be planning a trip to your house for the summer. lol

Congratulations on the book and I'm so glad the book signing went well. I love your shots and the tomatoes look delicious. I'm glad the ER visit wasn't any worse than it was and I hope he'll heed the docs advise. The weather has been really awful heat wise. No way I'm out working in my garden during the heat of the day.

Congratulations on your book signing. I hope you sold lots and lots. Do you write or illustrate, or do you do both? I am so interested as my daughter Lynne is a children's book illustrator who also writes. Perhaps you'd like to give her blog site a visit if you have time.http://lynnechapman.blogspot.com/

I am so relieved that Mac is OK now. Why are men so obstinate where their health is concerned. I've been there, and I expect most wives have too!

Sandi,This is my first visit to your blog. What a lovely blog you have. I will be back for many more visits.

Thanks for stopping by Dances With God and reading my post.Congratulations on your book signing(s). Those tomatoes look delicious! And by the way, do you ever eat those plums green? If you like sour, and have never tried them, it makes my tongue slap my brain, I love them so much!

This is my first time here~ I have really enjoyed my time getting to know you through your blog. Thanks for stopping my Heart Beats of Faith. Congrats on your book. It sounds very interesting! Your gardens are also very beautiful! North Carolina, is one of my favorite places to visit! It is so beautiful there!!Glad to hear that they only had to keep Mac for 24 hours! Maybe he should add MD behind your name for you since you take such good care of him (meaning, "My Dear"). However that doesn't change the pay at all! LOL

It's good the Dr's news was good! And congrats on the book signing! I think it is a profound moment when you stop and think "Im attending my own book signing" How many people can say that? I wish I could!

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